Starkey medical mission helps thousands

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (November 27, 2014) - Sarangani beneficiaries receive hearing aid from Starkey Hearing Foundation during the three-day medical mission held at Lagao Gymnasium on November 23-25. The medical mission was in partnership with the Provincial Local Government Unit of Sarangani headed by Congressman Emmanuel Pacquiao, Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon and Vice Governor Jinkee Pacquiao. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Starkey Hearing Foundation improves lives

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (November 27, 2014) – A staff of the Starkey Hearing Foundation gladly tests the hearing aid on an old-woman beneficiary during the first day of the hearing mission on November 23 at Lagao Gymnasium while the latter shows a cheerful smile. Hearing aids are important tools and the foundation really strives to empower the people it helps toward a better life and leave them with the knowledge that they too can improve the lives of others. (Kim Windell Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Hearing aid recipient thanks Starkey

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (November 27, 2014) – Words are not enough to express the joy of this young boy, a recipient of hearing aid from the Starkey Hearing Foundation, after being mounted with a hearing aid on November 23 at Lagao Gymnasium. The team members of the foundation are delighted as well to see joyful faces of their beneficiaries. Richard Brown (right) is the foundation’s president. (Kim Windell Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Founder of Starkey Hearing Foundation arrives

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (November 27, 2014) – Sarangani Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon welcomes William F. Austin (center), founder of Starkey Hearing Foundation, on November 22 at the General Santos City International Airport. Built on Austin's vision, "So the World May Hear," the foundation fits more than 100,000 hearing aids annually to children and adults through global hearing missions and the daily efforts of its domestic Hear Now program. Gov. Solon signed a deed of donation after having been authorized by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan headed by Vice Gov. Jinkee Pacquiao, accepting the millions-worth of hearing aids from Starkey. Joining them is Dr. Arvin Alejandro, OIC Sarangani Provincial Health Officer (2nd from left). (Kim Windell Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Gov. Solon visits Starkey Hearing Foundation beneficiaries

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (November 27, 2014) – Sarangani Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon visits the beneficiaries of Starkey Hearing Foundation on November 24 at Lagao Gymnasium. The foundation conducted a three-day hearing mission for Sarangani and Gensan beneficiaries. Thousands of recipients availed of free hearing aids/earmolds costing P10,000 to P20,000 each. The USA-based international charity organization became a partner of the Provincial Government of Sarangani with the help of Cong. Manny Pacquiao and Vice Gov. Jinkee Pacquiao. (Kim Windell Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Welcome home Cong. Pacquiao

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (November 26, 2014) - Sarangani Cong. Manny Pacquiao arrives at General Santos City Airport after defeating American Chris Algieri in Macau, China last November 24. Congressman Pacquiao proceeded to the Sarangani Capitol for his press conference. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Warm welcome awaits Cong. Pacquiao’s return

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 26, 2014) - Thousands of Sarangans witness the pay-per-view bout between Cong. Manny Pacquiao and Chris Algieri. Pacquiao won via unanimous decision. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

The Pearl of Sarangani candidates

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 26, 2014) – The lovely candidates for the Pearl of Sarangani 2014 pose during the press conference of Cong. Manny Pacquiao on November 24 at the Capitol lobby. The pageant’s coronation night will take place on Friday, November 28, at the Capitol Center Stage as part of the celebration of the 22nd Foundation 22^nd Founding Day anniversary and 12th MunaTo Festival of Sarangani Province. (Kim Windell Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Sarangani Capitol Gym erupts in cheers as Cong. Pacquiao wins

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 26, 2014) – Some 6,000 spectators at Sarangani Capitol Gymnasium altogether shout and applaud for the victory of Cong. Manny Pacquiao against American boxer Chris Algieri during their boxing match on November 23. A free pay-per-view was provided by the provincial government at the Sarangani Capitol Gymnasium for the avid fans of the People’s Champ. (Kim Windell Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Sarangani Capitol employees welcome Cong. Pacquiao

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 26, 2014) – The extremely excited Sarangani Capitol employees and avid fans vigorously gather around their idol,  People’s Champ Manny Pacquiao, with ecstatic smiles on their faces and cameras on their hands upon his homecoming on  November 24 at the Capitol lobby. (Kim Windell Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Residents of Gensan, Sarangani welcome Cong. Pacquiao

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (November 26, 2014) - Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon joins the Boxing Champ Manny Pacquiao and his entourage on a motorcade on Monday, November 24, within General Santos City and Sarangani Province. Government officials, employees of the Pacquiao Group of Companies, representatives of schools and colleges and ordinary individuals welcomed and congratulated the internationally renowned boxing icon by following the caravan and shaking hands with him on the streets. (Kim Windell Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Planeside honors for Cong. Pacquiao

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (November 26, 2014) – World Boxing Champion Cong. Manny Pacquiao with Glan Mayor Tata Yap salutes during the military honors and hero’s welcome upon his much-awaited and highly-anticipated arrival straight from his fight in Macau, China on Monday, November 24, at General Santos City International Airport. The plane, carrying him and his entire family and friends, landed at around 4:30 in the afternoon. (Kim Windell Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Fans cheer Cong. Pacquiao

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 26, 2014) - Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon with Board Member Virgilio Clark Tobias shouts aloud in victory as Cong. Manny Pacquiao knocks down his opponent, Chris Algieri, during their boxing match on November 23 in Macau, China. A free pay-per-view was provided by the provincial government at the Sarangani Capitol Gymnasium for the avid fans of the People’s Champ. (Kim Windell Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Cong. Pacquiao thanks Sarangani constituents

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 26, 2014) – Cong. Manny Pacquiao expresses his gratitude to the people of Sarangani for their overwhelming support to his boxing career through the years during the press conference held Monday, November 24, at Sarangani Capitol. He emphatically stated that it was God’s strength that empowered him to win the recent fight against American boxer Chris Algieri. He also humorously said that he felt the support when he knew that people never get tired of seeing his face from time to time. Joining him in the press conference are Gensan Mayor Ronnel Rivera, Mommy Dionisia Pacquiao and Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon. (Kim Windell Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Kiamba police seizes hot lumber from Sultan Kudarat

By MELODY J. COSEP

    

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 24, 2014) – Almost P400,000 worth lumber from Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat were intercepted by the composite team of Kiamba Police Station and the Provincial Natural Resources Office (LGU-PENRO) at dawn on November 18 at the Community Police Assistance Center (CPAC) No. 1 in Sitio Ubbog, Barangay Badtasan after confirming that the lumber permits were falsified.

The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of DENR in Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat told the Kiamba police that the documents presented were all fake.

Around 2 o’clock in the morning of November 18, the composite team flagged down a white Isuzu Forward truck with plate number MVY-960 driven by Renato Cabucos loaded with 223 flitches of Antipolo, Falcata, DapDap, Ilang-Ilang and Bagras species or a total of 7,050 board feet with an estimated market value of P176,250.

Another green Isuzu truck with plate number GTR-822 was apprehended at 3:47am loaded with 163 log bolts of same species equivalent to P200,000.

Per police initial investigation, the owners of the lumber are Datu Otto Mastura and Datu Sammy Sultan.

Kiamba police has turned over the confiscated lumber including the trucks to CENRO Kiamba as it is the mandate of DENR to file cases against the violators.

The seizure was the provincial government’s immediately response to information given by concerned citizens. Accordingly, another two trucks of similar origin on the same day turned back after learning of the apprehension.

Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon and Cong. Manny Pacquiao have been stringent in prohibiting any unlawful activity in the province. In a press conference at the Capitol last month, Gov. Solon affirmed that the provincial government is against illegal gambling, mining and timber poaching but is pro-sustainable development.

The firm stand of the officials and the sentiments of the residents have triggered the DENR Regional Office XII to issue an order of moratorium on the issuance of permit to cut in the towns of Maasim, Kiamba and Maitum effective October of this year.

Municipal officials are also mobilizing at their level to run against the offenders. Mayor Raul Martinez has been supportive and at the same time leads in the confiscation of illegal logs and in the prevention of illegal mining operations in his town.

Last November 10, the composite team of Sarangani Provincial Police Office led by Col. Emmanuel Peralta, Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB), PENRO-LGU Sarangani and Mines and Geosciences Bureau was able to confiscate mining tools, explosives and equipment  at Sitio Kafugan, Barangay Nalus in Kiamba.

All concerned citizens are encouraged by the local government to give relevant information on illegal activities, assuring the former that their identities will always be concealed and protected. (Melody J. Cosep/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

CENRO Kiamba takes custody of hot lumber, trucks

KIAMBA, Sarangani (November 24, 2014) - Community and Environment of Natural Resource Office (CENRO) Kiamba has taken custody of two trucks loaded with illegal lumber from Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat on November 19 after confirming that the documents presented were all fake. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Lawmen confiscate illegal mining equipment in Kiamba

By MELODY J. COSEP

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 24, 2014) – No illegal miners were arrested but lawmen who swooped down in an illegal mining enclave were able to seize mining tools, explosives, and equipment.

The anti-illegal mining operation was conducted by the composite team of Sarangani Provincial Police Office (SPPO), Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) XII, Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (LGU-PENRO) on November 10 at Sitio Kafugan, Barangay Nalus in Kiamba.

The seized illegal mining tools were one set of generator with engine (Yongchai), two pieces of electrical fuse, one piece of disposable lighter, one piece Safex-3 explosive-Class 2, one piece of blasting cap, one piece of flashlight, three pieces of detonating cord with blasting caps, one roll of exhaust hose, one piece of mallet, one piece of shovel, three pieces of pump belt, one piece of hacksaw, and more or less 60 pieces of Superdyne Explosives.

Three open makeshift shanties that served as roofing of portal tunnel with more or less 150 meters depth, bunkhouse and dirty kitchen of miners were also found.

The team went to the area by travelling for eight hours along the rugged roads of Barangay New La Union, Maitum and Barangay Nalus, arriving in the site at around 6:30am..

According to SPPO chief Sr. Supt. Emmanuel Peralta who was the overall supervisor of the operation, it was in the year 2010 when reports arose that small-scale mining started to exist in the mountain of Sitio Kafugan. These reports were confirmed after operations have been conducted by the joint teams of PNP Sarangani and Philippine Army on July 19, 2010.

Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon and Cong. Manny Pacquiao have been stringent in prohibiting any unlawful activity in the province. In a press conference held at Capitol last month, Gov. Solon affirmed that the provincial government is against illegal gambling, mining and timber poaching but is pro-sustainable development.

  

Municipal officials are also mobilizing at their level to run against the offenders. Mayor Raul Martinez has been supportive and at the same time leads in the confiscation of illegal logs and in the prevention of illegal mining operations in his town.

Illegal small-scale mining is a violation of Republic Act No. 7076 or the People’s Small-Scale Mining Act of 1991 punishable by imprisonment of not less than six months nor more than six years and shall include the confiscation and seizure of equipment, tools and instruments. (Melody J. Cosep/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Officials attend jamboree opening

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 23, 2014) – Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon (in white) and Board Members George Falgui (3rd from left), Cornelio Martinez, Jr., Cesar Nallos, Jr., Elmer De Peralta, and Virgilio Tobias together with Sarangani Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Diosdado Ablanido and the DepEd-Boy Scouts of the Philippines coordinators pose after the opening ceremony of the 3rd Sarangani Provincial Jamboree on November 19 at the Capitol Sports Complex. (PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE) 

Military changes commander

TUPI, South Cotabato (November 23, 2014) - Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon receives a plaque of appreciation from the 27th Infantry Battalion presented by the outgoing battalion commander Lt. Col. Shalimar Imperial on November 14 at their battalion headquarters in Barangay Kablon during the change of command ceremony for the new battalion head Lt. Col. Ronald Jess Alcudia. The battalion recognized the unwavering support of the governor for the former’s stringent effort to maintain the peace and order in MaKiMa (Maitum, Kiamba, and Maasim) towns. Also present in the ceremony are Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez of the Diocese of Marbel (right), 10th Infantry Division Commander Major General Eduardo Año (left), and South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance Fuentes. (PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Jamboree in Sarangani

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 23, 2014) – Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon, at the opening ceremony of the Sarangani Provincial Jamboree, asks trivia questions equivalent to a cash prize of P20,000 while the boy scouts actively participate by loudly reciting their answers in chorus. The event is attended by almost 1,500 scouts from November 19-23 at the Capitol Sports Complex organized by the Boy Scouts of the Philippines-Sarangani Associate Council after it separated from the mother council of South Cotabato. (PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)